Matrix composing stick



Dec. 24, 1935. H R, FREUND 2,025,683

MATRIX COMPOSING STICK Filed Feb. 2v, 1954 f8 Jo .72 35 INvEN on Mfg/VHN Hefe/Na ATTORN EYS Patented Dec. 24, 1935 UITED stars MATRIX COMIOSING STICK Herman R. Freund, Brooklyn, N. Y., assignor to Intertype Corporation, Brooklyn, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application February 27, 1934, Serial No. 713,231

In Germany February 19, 1934 16 Claims.

This invention relates to a matrix composing stick of a form and construction which is adapted primarily for use in connection with typographical matrix composing and line casting machines and especially adapted to cooperate with the matrix line transporter or so-called first elevator of machines of the class shown and described generally in U. S. Letters Patent No. 436,532 granted September 16, 1890.

.The invention relates more particularly to improvements in the matrix composing stick disclosed in my prior U. S. Patent No. 1,740,435 granted December 17, 1929, the primary object being to enhance the utility of the stick in respects which save time in the composing of matrix lines by hand and, by means of certain automatic features, render the stick capable of manipulation more conveniently by the operator, and to enable the transfer of lines from the stick to the line transporter and, vice versa, to be .accomplished more accurately and quickly.

The composing stick, according to the present invention, as in my prior patent above noted, is intended for the hand composition of matrices for odd matrix lines made up of artistic display or other distinctive characters, .and for any other line which it may be found more convenient to set by hand in a stick rather than on the usual keyboard matrix composing machine. However, as distinguished from the stick disclosed in my said prior patent, the stick according to the present invention does not provide means for carrying the matrices by their distributor combination teeth nor the expansible spacebands by their projecting ears, the improved stick according to the present invention being arranged to receive matrices of the usual or standard form with distributor teeth or matrices which do not need such teeth because they are too large to run in the usual keyboard composing .and distributing machines. Furthermore, while the improved stick may be arranged to receive the usual style of expansible spacebands, it is preferable to employ spacebands in which the sleeve or short wedge member thereof has the configuration of the usual matrix, and such improved spaceband forms the subject matter of a separate Patent No. 1,981,835 granted November 20, 1934.

To these and other ends the invention consists in certain improvements and combinations and arrangements of parts all as will be hereinafter more fully described, the features of novelty being pointed out particularly in the claims at the end of this specification.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure l is a top plan view of a matrix composing stick embodying the present invention, a line4 of character bearing matrices being shown contained in the stick;

Figure 2 is .a transverse section through the 5 stick, taken on the line 2 2 in Figure 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 3 is an end elevation of the stick shown in Figure 1 as viewed from the right in that gure;

Figure 4 is a View showing the manner in which 10 the stick is applied to the line transporter or first elevator of a typographical machine in order to introduce a matrix line from the stick into the transp ort er Figure 5 is a view, partly in section, showing the 15 manner in which the stick cooperates with the line receiving end of the transporter; and

Figure 6 represents a transverse section through the stick while occupying its normal position, showing a spaceband therein.

Similar parts are designated by the same reference characters in the different gures.

The improved matrix line composing stick provided bythe present invention comprises a base l and a wall Vor flange 2 arranged perpendicular thereto along one edge, these parts being formed for example from a sheet or plate of metal of suitable thickness bent into right angular form in cross section. The wall 2 has a bar or ridge 3 Isecured thereto, this bar or ridge being of such shapeand size in cross-section as to conform to the inclined edges of the teeth formed in V-shaped notches in the upper ends of matrices of the usual construction, this bar 3 being so located as to adapt itself to the V-shaped tooth notch m in the matrices M when the latter rest with their projecting ears m on the base l. It may be stated at this point that the improved composing stick is especially adapted for use in connection with a line transporter or iirst elevator, the head of which is hinged so that the l matrix line receiving jaws may be swung into a horizontal position, or substantially so, vto facilitate the introduction of a hand composed matrix line, examples of a rst elevator having such hinged head being disclosed in U. S. Letters Patent No. 1,067,543 granted July 15, 1913, and in the prior application of myself and A. G. Sperry Serial No. 708,490 filed January 26, 1934, it being understood that when the composing stick is introduced into the hinged head of such elevator after the head has been swung forwardly, the base l will occupy a substantially horizontal plane as shown in plan in Figure 1 and in crosssection in Figure 6. The base I is provided with a rail 4 which extends parallel to the wall or flange 2 at a distance therefrom substantially equal to the length or height of a standard matrix, this rail serving to retain the matrices against displacement from the bar 3 and engagement of said bar in the tooth notches in the ends of the matrices serving to retain the latter against falling over sidewise. The bar 3 and rail 4 are the only means, other than end stops on the stick, which retain the assembled line in place, it being deemed sufficient to rely upon the compositor to avoid inverting the stick and thus permitting the matrices to drop therefrom, although the stick containing matrices may be inclined endwise or flatwise to a considerable degree without danger of fallingY of the matrix line therefrom.

The rail 4, as shown in Figures 2 and 6, extends outwardly or away from the wall or flange 2 for a considerable distance, and its top surface Alies inthe same plane with the edges of the bodies of matrices between their lugs or ears when such matrices rest onY the base I, whereby the rail 4 provides a platform 5 to support the long wedge members S of spacebands which in the instance shown have short members S which conform in shape to that of the matrices, as will be clear from Figure 6. The advantage obtained by using spacebands having short members of this form is that special grooves in the base I of the stick are rendered unnecessary, it being understood that spacebands of the usual form have ears which project outwardly to a greater extent than the upper ears of the matrices, whereas the ears s of the short member S of the spaceband shown project outwardly to the same extent' as those of the upper and lower ears m of the matrices and may rest on the base I, as shown in Figure 6.

The rail 4 is provided with an undercut groove I which extends longitudinally of the rail 4, this groove being adapted to slidably receive a tongue 1 formed on an adjustable end block 8, this end block slidably engaging the base I and flange 2 and having a recess 9 therein to accommodate the bar 3, the edges of this recess however engaging the sides of the bar 3, as indicated at I0 so that the block 8 together with the tongue 'I thereon, is retained slidably on the base I. A stop II, such as a screw threaded into the base I, is provided near one end of the stick to serve as an abutmentfor the end block 8. The block 8 is recessed or slotted as at I2 to receive a lock arm I3 which is pivoted to rock in the recess or slot by a pivot pin I4, and the lock arm carries a pin I5 on which a at spring I6 secured to the block 8 bears and acts to retain the lock arm in the full line position shown in Figure 3, the lock arm having a sharp tooth or lug I1 thereon which engagesrone or another of a series of teeth or serrations I8 formed along the top edge of the wall or ange 2. This arrangement enables the block 8 to be adjusted to any position on the base I by disengaging the lock arm I3 from the serrations I8 and swinging the lock arm to the dot-and-dash line position indicated in Figure 3 where it will remain due to the action of the spring I8 on the pin I5,` the block 8 being then free to slide longitudinally of the stick to conform with the desired length of the line as indicated by the markings of a scale I8 formed on theplatform 5, the end block 8 being locked in adjusted position by returning the lock arm to the fullline position shown in Figure 3 and thereby re-engaging its tooth I'I with the appropriate serration I8.

The left hand end of the stick as viewed in Figure 1 is provided with a gate 20 against which the matrices are stacked during assembly on the base I. It will be seen from Figures l and 4, that this gate is formed at the end of an arm 2|, the latter being pivoted in a bracket 22 xed to the under side of the base I, the arm 2| being normally and yieldingly held against the under side of the base by a coil spring 23 which encircles the pivot pin 24 for the arm 2| and has one end arranged to act on the arm 2| and its other end arranged to react on the bracket 22. The arm 2| has an extension arm 25 formed thereon, and this extension arm has a bevelled edge 26 thereon for a purpose hereinafter described.

The improved composing stick is adapted to cooperate with the usual line transporter or socalled first elevator, as in my prior patent noted, for the purpose of sliding hand composed lines of matrices from the stick into the matrix retaining jaws of said elevator, whereupon the lines will be transported to the casting position in the machine, 21 and 28 representing the matrix line receiving jaws of such elevator, in Figure 4. In order to engage the jaws of the first elevator, the wall or flange 2 of the stick according to the present invention extends to the left beyond the left hand end of the base I, as shown in Figure 1, this extended portion of the stick being of the same width as the space between the inner walls of the grooves 29 and 30 in the elevator jaws, as 3 shown in Figures 4 and 5.

According to the present invention insertion of theextension of the wall or ange 2 of the stick into the grooves 29 and 30 in the elevator jaws, which grooves are the usual spaceband grooves or rails thereof, automatically swings the gate 28 out of the path in which the matrices are to be moved from the stick into the jaws. 'Ihis automatic movement of the gate 20 is accomplished by engagement of the bevelled edge 26 on the extension 25 of the arm 2| with the right hand end of the jaw 2l of the elevator when the stick is applied thereto as shown in Figure 4, the arm 2| and the gate 20 carried by it being thereby swung into the position shown in Figure 4, the gate 20 being then in open position or clear of the path of the matrices while being introduced into the elevator from the stick, and the gate being retained in such open position until the stick is withdrawn from the jaws of the elevator. While the gate 20 thus occupies its open position, the composed line of matrices with or without spacebands, is transferred from the stick into the elevator jaws by releasing the lock arm I3 and pushing the block 8 toward the left in Figures 1 and 4. If the operator should fail to fully insert the stick into the elevator jaws, pushing of the end wall or block 8 in a direction to transfer the line from the stick to the elevator will automatically insure full or complete insertion of the stick, and due to the shape and location of the cam 26, the gate 20 will not be moved into its fully open position or clear of the path of the matrix line and permit the line to start moving out of the stick until after full engagement of the stick with the transporter is accomplished. 'Ihe block 8, as shown in Figure 5, has a portion 3| at its inner or line engaging side, which is of reduced height and of suciently narrow widthA to enter freely between the inner faces of the elevator jaws 2'I and 28.

such reduced portion of the block 8 enabling the latter to push the matrix line into the elevator jaws sufliciently far to position the last matrix in the line beyond or past the usual retaining pawls 32 in the elevator jaws, at which time a raised lug 33 on the base I of the stick engages and stops the block 8 from further movement to the left or toward the elevator. The construction just described thus permits every line to be delivered from the stick by hand to the same position in the elevator jaws. Y

For the purpose of guiding and accurately alining the matrices as they pass out of the stick into the elevator jaws, the bar 3 is shaped to a full V-form at the delivery end of the stick, as indicated at 34, and a at spring 35, attached to the wall or flange 2 is arranged to press endwise on the tops of the matrices to hold them against a slightly raised portion 36 on the rail 4, as shown in Figure 1. The platform 5 extends to the left (Fig. l) suii'iciently far to sustain the long wedge members S' of the spacebands horizontally, as shown in Figure 6, until they have entered the elevator jaws and preferably to an extent somewhat beyond the distance necessary for this purpose, this further extended portion of the platfor-m, as shown in Figure 1, conforming 'generally to the handle of a printers stick, as a matter of convenience for the compositor.

In order to accurately aline matrices and spacebands in the stick with the usual channels or rails which support the matrices in the transporter when a line is transferred from the stick into the transporter or elevator, the bar 3 extends to the left beyond the base I, as shown in Figure 1. Since the stick can be inserted into the upper or usual spaceband grooves of the elevator or transporter only to the point where the left .hand end of the base I abuts against the end of the jaw 28, as shown in Figure 5, it will be obvious that the extension 34 of the bar 3 will reach within the space between the elevator jaws 21 and 28. The

` extension 34 is of triangular form to exactly fit against the ends of the teeth in the V-shaped notch at the top of the matrices and spacebands. A plate 3l is provided beyond the extension 34 of the bar 3, this plate being operative to push endwise on the long wedge members S' of the spacebands when a line is being transferred from `the elevator or transporter on to the stick after a cast has been made from the line. It is understood of course that the long wedge members of spacebands are slidable on the short members thereof and in some cases, from one cause or another, the long wedge members may not be fully extended when the line is being transferred on to the stick, but the tapered or bevelled plate 3'I will insure full extension of the long wedge members of the spacebands while the line is being removed from the elevator to the stick.

It will be understood that the stick according to the present invention and as hereinbefore described, is particularly adapted to cooperate with the usual line transporter or iirst elevator of typographical machines whereby after a matrix line is composed on the stick, the latter is inserted or otherwise held against the end of the line receiving jaws of the transporter in such position that the ears of matrices will aline with the usual rails in the elevator jaws which support the matrices by said ears, and the line may then be pushed oi or out of the stick into the elevator jaws. After removing the stick from the elevator the latter will then carry the line to the casting -position, and after the cast has been made from the line and the elevator has returned to its normal position, the stick may again be brought into cooperative relation with the ends of the jaws of the elevator or transporter, whereupon the operator may push against the left hand end of the 5 line and thereby transfer it from the elevator jaws back to the stick.

I claim as my inventionzl. A matrix line composing stick comprising a base portion to cooperate with the sides and matl rices and the body portions of spacebands, and an extended portio-n projecting beyond said base portion in a plane above that of the latter to oooperate with and support the long wedge members of spacebands. l

2. A matrix line composing stick comprising a matrix line supporting portion, a gate movable into and out of a position opposite to an end of the line, means for yieldably holding the gate in said position, and means engageable with a line transporter when the stick is applied thereto and active on the gate to automatically move it out of said position.

3. A matrix line composing stick comprising a portion for supporting a matrix line for endwise 25 movement thereon, and a member movable longitudinally on the stick for transferring the line therefrom and engageable with a line. transporter to control the delivered position of the line in the transporter.

4. A matrix line composing stick comprising a portion for supporting a matrix line for endwise movement thereon, and a member movable longitudinally of the stick for transferring the line therefrom into a line transporter, said member having a portion of reduced size to enter the transporter and thereby deliver the line thereto and having a relatively larger portion to abut against the transporter and thereby control the delivered position of the line in the transporter. 40

5. A matrix line composing stick comprising a base portion for supporting matrices* and spacebands assembled edgewise thereon, and stationary means on the stick adapted'to enter the notches in the tops of matrices and spacebands inserted endwise thereover to support them in edgewise assembled position.

6. A matrix line composing stick comprising a base portion cooperative with the side edges of matrices and spacebands, and a bar carried by the stick and engageable by endwise insertion of the matrices and spacebands thereover in the notches in the top-s of said matrices and spacebands to prevent side tipping and edgewise displacement thereof.

7. A matrix line composing stick comprising a base portion adapted to support matrices and spacebands assembled edgewise thereon, a bar on the stick engageable in notches in the tops of the matrices and spacebands to support them against tipping sidewise, and a rail on the base portion to cooperate with the matrices and spacebands and support them against endwise displacement.

8. A matrix line composing stick comprising a base portion to cooperate with matrices while lying on their sides, and a portion engageable in a line transporter to support the stick in position to deliver a matrix line thereto, and a bar on the stick engageable in notches in the tops of the matrices to prevent tipping thereof sidewise, said bar extending a sufficient distance in relation to said transporter engageable portion to reach into the transporter and aline the matrices on the stick with the transporter.

9. A matrix line composing stick comprising a base portion to cooperate with a line of matrices to support them for movement endwise on the stick, a portion engageable with a line transporter to support the stick in position to deliver a matrix line thereto, and a bar on the stick engageable in notches in the tops of the matrices and extending beyond said base portion for alining the matrices delivered from the stick with the matrix lin-e receiving portion of the transporter.

l0. A matrix line composing stick comprising a base plate to cooperate with a line of matrices and spacebands to support them for movement endwise on the stick, a portion engageable with a line transporter to support the stick in line delivering relation therewith, a bar on the stick engageable in notches in the tops of the matrices and spacebands for alining the matrices delivered from the stick with the line receiving portion of the transporter, and means extending beyond said bar and engage-able with the tops of the long wedge members of the spacebands to fully extend them while the line is being removed from the transporter to the stick.

11. A matrix line composing stick comprising a base portion for supporting matrices and the body portions of spacebands by side edges thereof, means associated with said base portion for supporting the long wedge members of spaceb ands during the composition of a line in the stick,

means for transferring a composed line endwise from said stick into a line transporter adapted to support matrices and the bodyV portions of spacebands by direct engagement therewith, and means active during such transfer to support the flong wedge members of spacebands until the body portions thereof are engaged by said transporter.

l2. A matrix line composing stick comprising a base portion for supporting matrices and the body `portions of spacebands by side edges thereof, a

member slidable on the base portion for discharging a composed line endwise while lying on its side, a wall portion providing an abutment surface for aligning the tops of matrices at a common level, and a portion extending laterally from said base portion to support the long wedge members of spacebands, said laterally extending portion being of greater length than said base portion to support the long wedge members of the spacebands during discharge from the stick.

i3. A matrix line composing stick comprising a matrix line supporting portion and opposed cooperating end walls for confining a matrix line therebetween, one of said end walls being movable longitudinally of said supporting portion to discharge a matrix line therefrom into a line transporter, and the opposite end wall having means operative upon engagement of the stick with said line transporter to permit the longitudinal movement of said rst mentioned end Wall.

14. A matrix line composing stick comprising a matrix line supportingmember and opposed cooperating end Walls for confining a matrix line therebetween, one of said end walls being movable longitudinally of said member to discharge a matrix line therefrom into a line transporter, and the opposite end wall having distinct portions, onefnornrially overlying an end of the matrix line and the other cooperative with said line transporter to position said first mentioned portion clear of the path of the matrix line.

15. A matrix line composing stick comprising a base portion provided With opposed cooperating end Walls for conning a matrix line therebetween and a member for applying the stick to a line transporter, one of said end walls being slidable Vlongitudinally of the base portion to discharge a matrix line therefrom into the line transporter, and the opposite end wall having means cooperative with the line transporter and operative to move said wall out of line confining position upon applying the stick to the transporter and applying a force to the first mentioned end wall to slide it.

16. A matrix line composing stick comprising a base portion provided with opposed end walls for confining a matrix line therebetween and a member adapted to enter into a line transporter and support the stick when fully entered therein in line transferring position, o-ne of said end Walls having means engageable with the line transporter and adapted to move said wall out of line confining position when the stick is supported in line transferring position, and the other end wall being slidable longitudinally of the base portion of the stick and operative, upon applying a force thereto to slide it, to move the stick to line transferring position in the transporter and to transfer a line thereto.

HERMAN R. FREUND. 

